Arizona Wildcats Earn Spot in BCS Standings with Stellar Body of Work

Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRERich Rodriguez was all smiles following Arizona's win over USC.

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Not often will a three-loss team find its way into the BCS standings before the calendar flips to November, but Rich Rodriguez' Wildcats are a worthy exception.

The Wildcats (5-3, 2-3), fresh off of a thrilling upset of then-No. 9 USC, enter the BCS standings at No. 22.

Five of Arizona's eight opponents currently occupy a place in the standings released Sunday night. The 'Cats have lost to No. 4 Oregon, No. 11 Oregon State and No. 14 Stanford. They've knocked off No. 17 USC and No. 24 Oklahoma State.

What's more, the Wildcats' two unrankedBCS opponents are far from pushovers.

Toledo (8-1, 5-0), in part due to their upset of then-ranked Cincinnati, just missed the cut in both the AP and USA Today/Coaches Poll (No. 26 and No. 28, respectively).

Washington, while maddeningly inconsistent, has already knocked two opponents out of the Top 10 this year.

Suffice it to say, RichRod's club has run the gauntlet. And, for the most part, they've succeeded.

In fact, two of Arizona's three losses were of the heartbreaker variety. The 'Cats lost in the final minute to Oregon State and in overtime to Stanford.

The only black mark to date is a 49-0 drubbing at the hands of Oregon. But who hasn't Oregon embarrassed?

The 'Cats are no lock to remain in the BCS standings moving forward. With a showdown against UCLA on the horizon, Arizona's regained relevance may once again prove fleeting.

Regardless, the Wildcats have most certainly earned their place on the ticker; at least for the week to come.